Marathon

With the course adjustments this year, the marathon will start near Hills & Hollows in Boulder, Utah (elev. 6300 feet). The entire course is on Scenic Byway 12 between Boulder and Escalante. It runs in a southwest direction and is mostly downhill until Mile 11, where the road crosses the Escalante River (elev. 5275). It then turns northwest and is mostly uphill until Mile 17 (elev. 6200). From Mile 17 on, the course is a gradual westward descent (with a few inclines) to the finish line at Escalante City Park, Utah (elev. 5770 feet). You can view the course map and elevation profile below.

The marathon will be run on the westbound lane of Utah’s Scenic Byway 12, and all runners will complete the course on the right-hand side of the road. The course will include 14 aid stations in addition to refreshments (sustenance!) at the start and finish lines. All aid stations will offer water, and selected aid stations will offer energy drinks, energy gels, and fruit. Start and finish line shuttles between Boulder and Escalante will be available for runners.

Course highlights include the mile-long Hogsback, where the road runs along a rock spine that drops off precipitously on both sides, the rock canyons near Calf Creek Falls, the extraordinary S-curve that announces the longest uphill stretch of the course, and the Boynton and Head of the Rocks scenic overlooks. No matter where you are on the course, though, you will enjoy unparalleled vistas.